A guide pin assembly includes a guide pin body that connects to a die component using retaining rings. The guide pin assembly has an upper and a lower retaining ring that permits the retention of the guide pin body in a hole in a component of a metal forming die, with each retaining ring contacting a surface of the die component. The guide pin body includes an opening to permit the temporary insertion of a device for positioning the guide pin body within the opening in the die member.

A flue baffle for a water heater comprises a plurality of holes along a length of the baffle and a plurality of bent blades along the length of the baffle, where each hole of the plurality of holes is adjacent to a bent blade of the plurality of bent blades. The holes are configured to permit flue gas to pass through the holes. The bent blades can have an alternating pattern where a first bent blade extends from one side of the baffle and the next bent blade extends from an opposite side of the baffle. A press tool for forming the baffle comprises a piercing tool for forming the plurality of holes and a lance and fold die for forming the bent blades.

A metal plate includes: a recessed portion provided at one end surface by cutting out the metal plate in a planar direction of the metal plate, the recessed portion having an engaging portion inside the recessed portion; and a protruding portion provided at a position on another end surface, the position corresponding to that of the recessed portion, the protruding portion protruding in the planar direction, the protruding portion being engaged with the engaging portion by applying a bending process such that the engaging portion is hooked by the protruding portion, wherein a length from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the protruding portion before the bending process is applied is equal to or less than a depth of the recessed portion at a position of the recessed portion, the position facing an end surface of the proximal end portion of the protruding portion.

A metal plate includes: a recessed portion provided at one end surface by cutting out the metal plate in a planar direction of the metal plate, the recessed portion having an engaging portion inside the recessed portion; and a protruding portion provided at a position on another end surface, the position corresponding to that of the recessed portion, the protruding portion protruding in the planar direction, the protruding portion being engaged with the engaging portion by applying a bending process such that the engaging portion is hooked by the protruding portion, wherein a length from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the protruding portion before the bending process is applied is equal to or less than a depth of the recessed portion at a position of the recessed portion, the position facing an end surface of the proximal end portion of the protruding portion.

A stock lifter for metal forming dies includes a self-contained assembly. The assembly includes a guide pin that reciprocates within a base. A hardened end cap, which contacts the stock, is attached to the guide pin. A spring is located on the exterior surface of a portion of the base and surrounds the guide pin body. One end of the spring contacts a surface on the cap, while the other end of the spring contacts a surface on the base or an optional mounting flange that is attached above the base. Thus, the stock lifter assembly has a hardened cap for the stock to slide on and a larger, externally mounted spring that provides longer life for the stock lifter. The stock lifter assembly can be made of several different lengths and sizes by using longer or wider guide pins and springs.

A stock lifter for metal forming dies includes a self-contained assembly. The assembly includes a guide pin that reciprocates within a base. A hardened end cap, which contacts the stock, is attached to the guide pin. A spring is located on the exterior surface of a portion of the base and surrounds the guide pin body. One end of the spring contacts a surface on the cap, while the other end of the spring contacts a surface on the base or an optional mounting flange that is attached above the base. Thus, the stock lifter assembly has a hardened cap for the stock to slide on and a larger, externally mounted spring that provides longer life for the stock lifter. The stock lifter assembly can be made of several different lengths and sizes by using longer or wider guide pins and springs.

A rotary press die has a rotating die forming a negative angle part on a plate-like work and a fixed die arranged outside the rotating die and forming a molding part except for the negative angle part on the work. The rotating die is a press molding die which is formed such that the press molding die rotates about a rotating axis when the work is removed and can be retracted inside the fixed die. A rotating block is configured by a fixed piece arranged on the fixing table and having a concave slide surface having the rotating axis as a center. A moving piece is arranged on the rotating die and having a convex slide surface which can slide on the concave slide surface by using the rotating axis as a center. An opening angle between the concave slide surface and the convex slide surface is 80° to 100°.

A rotary press die has a rotating die forming a negative angle part on a plate-like work and a fixed die arranged outside the rotating die and forming a molding part except for the negative angle part on the work. The rotating die is a press molding die which is formed such that the press molding die rotates about a rotating axis when the work is removed and can be retracted inside the fixed die. A rotating block is configured by a fixed piece arranged on the fixing table and having a concave slide surface having the rotating axis as a center. A moving piece is arranged on the rotating die and having a convex slide surface which can slide on the concave slide surface by using the rotating axis as a center. An opening angle between the concave slide surface and the convex slide surface is 80° to 100°.

Provided is a press molding method in which a plate material is molded into a target molded body including a ridge section, said method including: a first step for molding an intermediate molded body; and a second step for forming the target molded body from the intermediate molded body. The target molded body and the intermediate molded body have coincident regions where the cross-sectional shapes coincide on both sides of an intermediate ridge section, and an intermediate region where the cross-sectional shapes do not coincide. The intermediate region includes: an outer region in which the intermediate molded body protrudes outward of an edge radius with respect to the target molded body; and an inner region in which the intermediate molded body is curved inward of the edge radius with respect to the target molded body.

Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing hot press formed parts for a multi-step process, the method comprising: a heating step for heating a strip material; a transferring step for transferring the heated strip material to a processing apparatus having mounted on a press a plurality of molds comprising a notching mold and/or a blanking mold, a forming mold, and a trimming mold; a notching step, for obtaining a notched material connected to the strip by means of a web portion by cutting a part of the material by means of the notching mold, and/or a blanking step for obtaining a blanked material separated from the strip by cutting a part of the material by means of the blanking mold; a forming step of transferring and positioning the material which has gone through the notching step and/or the blanking step near the forming mold, and then forming the material by means of the forming mold; and a trimming step for removing, by means of the trimming mold, an outer edge portion of the material which is unnecessary for a final product shape.